Silk and steel strings

[Metalman]

So with all this talk against silk and steel strings, just what good are they? It has been years since I tried them on anything - I remember my band member putting them on his Martin 12-string, and liking the results. 'course that was in 1971, and we all have changed our standards since then.

I did play a 1966 F-212 in Matt Umanov store the other day - price, $3000 - and they had outfitted it with medium gauge silk and steel, and tuned it down to "D". Yes, it sounded nice and warm, but then, back to my question: just what are "silk and steel" strings used for????

 

[capnjuan]

Click link to see '66 / $3,000 F212 w/ Silk and Steel strings....

http://www.umanovguitars.com/store/deta ... =610&path=

 

[chazmo]

A number of people recommended against putting Martin silk & steel on my F512. So, I didn't. I have a set of them which I'm going to use on my vintage Ibanez soon, though.

I guess the feeling is that they're a little "wimpy." I didn't want to compromise any of the power or projection that I currently get with the F512.

 

[Metalman]

Click link to see '66 / $3,000 F212 w/ Silk and Steel strings....

http://www.umanovguitars.com/store/deta ... =610&path=

Thanks, capnjuan,

Like I said, I had played that guitar just a few weeks ago. Played real nice; the salesman did state that it was tuned one step down. I can confirm that.
One thing it has that I didn't like, and that the neck volute is very thick, just the way Guild made it in 1966. The volute (the sectin of the neck where it angles out to the tuning pegs) on my 1970 is smoother, smaller, easier to play.

They need to recoup their expenses, I'm sure, but the price tag on that guitar is a bit high.

 

[capnjuan]

Like I said, I had played that guitar just a few weeks ago. Played real nice; the salesman did state that it was tuned one step down. I can confirm that. One thing it has that I didn't like, and that the neck volute is very thick, just the way Guild made it in 1966. The volute (the sectin of the neck where it angles out to the tuning pegs) on my 1970 is smoother, smaller, easier to play. They need to recoup their expenses, I'm sure, but the price tag on that guitar is a bit high.

Hi MM: I have a '66 F212 and you're right; it does have a pronounced volute but with a straight neck and moderate saddle, they are pretty easy to play. Yup; the $3,000 is pretty rich; collector-grade models typically in the highish $1,000s. IIRC $1,800 or so top money w/in the last year on de Bay but I'm willing to undercut Umanov and throw in a some 'Gator Nads.... :wink: cj

 

[Russell Letson]

The wrap on S&S strings is generally silver-plated copper, surrounding a core of nylon floss with a very thin steel core wire--construction is very like that of classical strings. To my ear, S&S strings have a softer attack, and they certainly don't last as long as standard strings. For instruments that need a low-tension set, I use silk and bronze--same architecture but with phosphor bronze wrap. Tensions are a little higher, but they wear almost as well as solid-core strings and they sound very good. I've used GHS and John Pearse sets for a long time on a range of guitars (old parlors, a lightly-braced handbuilt, a Goodall Standard, all my Guilds, including my D-40) with good results.

Addendum about Umanov's: It's pretty much a top-dollar operation, but the upside is that any instrument in the place has been checked out and set up by Umanov's repair/restoration guy, Tom Crandall, who is expert and meticulous.

 

[GardMan]

I've been playing Jon Pearse PB and Silk strings on my '72 D-35 since May... I like the way the sound. Maybe not as powerful as straight PBs or 80/20s, but nice note articulation.

 

[guildzilla]

Maybe the wimpy factor keeps a lot of us from even trying them. That would probably be true in my case.
Heck, the bluegrass guys would hand you an apron if you showed up with silk and steels.

 

[BluesDan]

My two cents with regards to Silk & Steel and Silk & Bronze strings:
I have a tendency to change out and experiment with strings ALOT with all my guitars, both acoustic and electric. Ya really can't bash the SS & SB strings, they are what they are, which are strings that are manufactured with a layer of silk between the outer windings and the core. It kinda cushions the windings so to speak, giving a mellower sound, alot less "jangle" on 12 strings. I don't particularly care for them on my 6 strings at all, but on the 12's, they have their place. I alternate between the Silk & Bronze and straight PB's depending on what sound I want to obtain. The Silk & Steel are brighter than the Silk & Bronze, but I get better bass out of the S&B. Both ore mellower than PB but I wouldn't call them "wimpy". It's a matter of preference /taste, as is gauge of strings and brand. Bottom line is, I wouldn't "knock 'em unless you tried 'em. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Metalman]

I suppose if you wanted a "nylon-stringed-classical" sound on your F-30, or F-40, etc., you could go with S&S strings. Or even on an M-20. Ah-h . . . another reason to pick up one on those babies . . .

 

[BluesDan]

I suppose if you wanted a "nylon-stringed-classical" sound on your F-30, or F-40, etc., you could go with S&S strings. Or even on an M-20. Ah-h . . . another reason to pick up one on those babies . . .

......I played around with different strings on my M20 but she seems to be happiest with DR "rare" hand wound PB's, 12 gauge.........perfect for da blues.......... 8)

Oh...and if ya haven't seen it yet.....there's an M20 up on the bay..........maybe a little Christmas present to yourself MM??? :lol:

 

[Metalman]

I suppose if you wanted a "nylon-stringed-classical" sound on your F-30, or F-40, etc., you could go with S&S strings. Or even on an M-20. Ah-h . . . another reason to pick up one on those babies . . .

......I played around with different strings on my M20 but she seems to be happiest with DR "rare" hand wound PB's, 12 gauge.........perfect for da blues.......... 8)

Oh...and if ya haven't seen it yet.....there's an M20 up on the bay..........maybe a little Christmas present to yourself MM??? :lol:

I know; I've seen it . . .

 

[Jeff]

Metalman wrote:
I suppose if you wanted a "nylon-stringed-classical" sound on your F-30, or F-40, etc., you could go with S&S strings. Or even on an M-20. Ah-h . . . another reason to pick up one on those babies

I put a set of Martin S&S on my F 20 a few days ago & took em off the next day.

They were so loosey goosey they rattled all over the fretboard & didn't sound near as good as PB lights; 12 - 54. Wasn't inclined to try adjusting the truss rod to get them to play right.

 

[guildzilla]

Now that I think about it, my old Yamaha has a set of s/s strings on it. I put them on there 18 years ago when I loaned it to a friend who wanted to learn to play. I was trying to make it easier on her fingers. It's been loaned to others since. But I hardly ever pick it up, so why change the strings.

Can't say they haven't lasted a long time.

 

[Frosty]

Note! It is important to distinguish between "silk and steel" and the Pearse "phosphor bronze and silk" type of strings. Different animals altogether. The Pearse 610LM Phosphor/Silk are among my favorite strings while "silk and steel" I generally reserve for guitars that can't handle tension (!) due to structural issues.

 

[12 string]

Pete Seeger used silk and steel strings on his G. Stanley Francis custom 12 string, but with a 28 inch scale he tuned them tighter, getting better sound than those of us with shorter scale instruments.

 

[chazmo]

Now that I think about it, my old Yamaha has a set of s/s strings on it. I put them on there 18 years ago when I loaned it to a friend who wanted to learn to play. I was trying to make it easier on her fingers. It's been loaned to others since. But I hardly ever pick it up, so why change the strings.

Can't say they haven't lasted a long time.

Yamaha abuse alert! Yamaha abuse alert! J/k -- 18 years, same set of strings? Wow!

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Silk & Steel strings must work for some people or they would not be in production.
I'm just not one of the people that will ever use them.

 

[BluesDan]

I don't know......maybe it's just me, but I "get the itch" to change the sound of my guitars on a regular basis. Changing gauge, brand, and types of strings does that for me. Same guitar with a different, maybe not better, but different sound. Kinda feels like I'm picking up a different guitar when going from PB's to S&S or S&B strings. Keeps the thrill alive for me I guess...........although buying new guitars gets that job done too... :wink: Variety is the spice of life, no?

 

[Guildmark]

I've always liked them. I bought them exclusively for many years. For me it was a tone issue, a mellow sound to accompany my singing through a small PA in a solo gig environment. The guitar was amplified through the PA, too, so balance was always under my own control and I didn't need stronger, brighter strings to balance with louder instruments. They were a little easier on the fingers and I changed them at least monthly, which was about as long as they kept a fresh tone. There's no doubt they aren't for everyone, but they have certainly served an appropriate role in some circumstances.

My 2¢.
Where's my change?